2021-2025 Kia Seltos Reliability Score: 2.8 out of 10

Reliability Score

2.8 / 10

Reliability score

Many more owner complaints than similar subcompact SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit run well above similar vehicles. They set this score.

Owners filed 306 powertrain complaints. A typical subcompact SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 111.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall306 complaints against about 111 for similar vehicles

4.1

Last three years233 complaints against about 95 for similar vehicles

4.5

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced111 complaints against about 20 for similar vehicles

2.6

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20212.8
20225.2
20236.9
2024n/a
2025n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

By engine

2.0L 4-cyl 2.6/10

About 75% more owner complaints than the 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, per vehicle built. (246 complaints, about 245,000 built)

1.6L 4-cyl turbo 5.4/10

About 42% fewer owner complaints than the 2.0L 4-cyl, per vehicle built. (49 complaints, about 78,000 built)

A complaint counts toward an engine only when its VIN names the engine. Each score is that engine on its own against similar vehicles, worked out the same way as the score above.

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Recall25V099

Engine And Engine Cooling, Engine, Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · 53,635 vehicles (17% of those built)

Recall21V259

Engine · 21,849 vehicles (7% of those built)

Complaints by Engine Code

Nu MPI

2.0L 4-cyl / 147 hp

444 complaints 88.8 per year Gasoline

7 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

294

electrical

65

transmission

58

cooling

49

other

46

Gamma T-GDI

1.6L 4-cyl Turbo / 175 hp

89 complaints 29.7 per year Gasoline

2 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

41

transmission

28

electrical

23

fuel system

12

other

11

Kia Seltos Unidentified Engine

10 complaints 3.3 per year

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

8

cooling

5

electrical

2

other

1

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

T-GDI Gamma-II

1.6L Turbo

9 complaints 4.5 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

4

electrical

3

fuel system

3

transmission

2

other

2

Same engine used in

KIA Sorento (2021-2025)HYUNDAI Santa Fe (2019-2024)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Seltos, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 347 owner complaints

Electrical System: 93 owner complaints

Transmission: 88 owner complaints

Cooling System: 57 owner complaints

Fuel System: 32 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2021-2025 Kia Seltos

On a used 2021-2025 Kia Seltos, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (347), the electrical system (93) and the transmission and drivetrain (88). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 347 owner complaints on the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos about the engine, all engines combined.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 93 owner complaints on the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos about the electrical system.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 88 owner complaints on the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 57 owner complaints on the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos about the fuel system, all engines combined.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos

Recalls (4)

25V099000Feb 17, 2025serious

Engine & Cooling

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.

23V830000Dec 22, 2023serious

Air Bags

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.

23V531000Jul 31, 2023serious

Powertrain

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.

21V259000Apr 13, 2021serious

Engine

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (15.1% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (16.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (15.1% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (16.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 4/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (15.1% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 4/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (16.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard & Optional LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 4/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (15.1% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 4/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (16.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 4/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (16.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional

Overall ★★★★★ 4/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (15.1% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional

Alternatives in Subcompact SUV

3 engines / 26 complaints

2 engines / 420 complaints

2 engines / 117 complaints

1 engine / 22 complaints

5 engines / 331 complaints

2 engines / 840 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2021-2025 Kia Seltos complaints?

Owners have filed 552 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos. The systems they name most often are the engine, the electrical system and the transmission.

Is the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 552 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos have?

NHTSA has 552 owner complaints on file for the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2021-2025 Kia Seltos?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2021-2025 Kia Seltos vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Kia Seltos?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Seltos?

The 2025 Kia Seltos received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 552 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.